SMALL BUSINESS COMMERCIAL LICENSE - terms of use
If you are Windows user and have just started downloading SVG files, you may be encountering an annoying little file naming switcheroo that swaps out your SVG file name for an HTML file name. And it even swaps out the little program icon that goes along with it.
Many an unsuspecting user has therefore assumed that the SVG file they just downloaded simply isn't in the folder where it should be.
This happens because your computer wants to open the SVG file as a web browser file instead of an image file for the simple fact that SVG images actually ARE web files. That's just part of what makes an SVG so special and useful.
Windows comes with all sorts of default settings, including which program should open what type of file. So if it reads a file as being made up of web code... then it likely thinks the 'appropriate' program is a web browser, and that's what will be selected by default to open it. Hence the switcheroo, Windows thinks it's being very clever.
Here's an important thing to remember - just because Windows renamed the file, doesn't mean the file has been changed or will work any differently. You can go ahead and use the file exactly as you intended, even if it does say .html. But if it bothers you there are a couple things you can do to fix the issue from happening.
Here's an example of the problem to show you exactly what I'm referring to:
As you can see, this folder contains an HTML file... or does it?
By simply making one tiny change to how the folder is viewed, suddenly that information becomes just a little clearer. Click the 'View' tab in your folder screen, as below, and then tick the 'File Extension' box. By adding the file extensions to the file names in the folder list you get a more accurate view of the actual file types you are looking at.
You don't necessarily need to do anything further. As I already mentioned, the integrity of the file itself is not affected at all and will work exactly as expected in whatever program you are using it in.
If however, you don't like that, and maybe you'd like to be able to double click the SVG file and have it open in a specific software program, you just need to change your computer's default settings. Something that is really not too difficult at all to do.
Right click on the SVG file name in your folder. A menu will appear with an option to 'Open With'. Choosing this creates another menu pop up which will have a list of a few possible programs you can select as the new default.
If the program you want isn't on that short list select 'Choose Another App'. You'll be presented with a longer list of options to choose from. Ensure that the box 'always use this app to open .svg files' is ticked and select the program you want as your default, for example, Inkscape.
Your SVG files should now be presented correctly on your PC, and will open nicely when clicked!
Get these adorable character avatars for free! You get a set of four designs, as pictured, in dark and light skin tones.
These are saved as PNG files with transparent backgrounds which will work beautifully online or in print.
SMALL BUSINESS COMMERCIAL LICENSE - terms of use
When MAC users create files on their computer, invisible metadata files are created by the operating system. (mac users can't see these and their functionality is required on the mac)
There are two types of files created, a folder metadata file called .DS_store and individual metadata files for every file created carrying the same file name but starting with ._ (so a folder containg 6 files will have 7 metadata files).
When such files and folders are created and shared with PC users, these files unfortunately are no longer invisible. The PC operating system is not programmed to hide them the way the MAC does.
And MAC users can't avoid the creation or inclusion of these irksome little meta files.
Conveniently though, all those metadata files are grouped into their own separate folder called _MACOSX. With the exception of the .DS_store file which will show up in both the metadata folder and the real folder that has the download content.
I've provided some screenshots to show you what to look for, and what to avoid:
As you can see, if you've no idea what you are looking at, it could be very confusing!
As an added note... if you use any sort of automated file opening sequence on a folder like this, your program is likely to select the metadata folder simply because it comes first in the list within the zip.
If that happens you'll have to manually go back to the folder to select the right files to open, because the meta files are not actual files you can use, they only contain a thumbnail image of the real file.
Alternatively, if you only ever use a PC, you can simply delete all of the meta files to get them permanently out of your way. It does no harm to delete them and only causes small inconveniences if later opened on a MAC.
I am pleased to announce an affiliate opportunity for my work via the digital resource marketplace Design Bundles!
DesignBundles.net is an online marketplace bringing you the very best digital resources from independent designers all around the world. With simple and easy to understand licensing, they offer customers the best service and a simple way to shop for design assets online.
You'll now find over 90% of my current portfolio listed in my Design Bundles storefront with a fabulous affiliate program opportunity that offers a whopping 25% commission along with some pretty sweet terms.
As a marketplace affiliate you can earn on referrals to ALL the sellers on their site as well as to their sister site FontBundles.net.
It's super easy to sign up, just follow the instructions on their affiliate page for access to their sign-up page. You'll create an account on either site (it doesn't matter which, your login will be the same for both) and once approved you'll have access to your own unique affiliate links and affiliate dashboard.
Now you'll be able to drop those links in wherever you choose to refer your friends to Lovelytocu!
As an added bonus, affiliate links will be an accepted method of attribution under my Credit Required License. Just convert credit your text link to your affiliate link wherever you are crediting my work online, like this - Clipart by Lovelytocu.
If you get stuck or need help, just message me!
Shawnna
When I first started learning computer based illustration and graphic design, you had to pay thousands of dollars for the software. And I only remember knowing of two possible choices... Corel and Adobe.
These days, anyone can be a graphic designer, with the tools and resources to do so more accessible now than ever before. And every year it seems like a raft of new choices crop up. It's quite amazing.
In fact, there are so many design software choices it can be super overwhelming to figure out which one to start with, or which one has the tools you need.
Since a lot of my customers are looking for affordable and simple options, I've made a list of my favorite choices that I would use if I didn't have Photoshop or Illustrator and had a simple project to work on.
These are listed in random order, I haven't tested each so thoroughly that I can rank which one is 'best' - and besides,'best' is a bit subjective depending on your project and skill set.
Also note that these are selected based on desktop computing, although some of these will work well on a tablet. (these are full programs and not apps)
PHOTOPEA
I recommend this one because it's actually compatible with Photoshop files (among others) and looks and feels a lot like Photoshop when you are using it. It doesn't have ALL the features that Photoshop has (obviously) but it's great for creating basic design layouts with lots of drawing tool options.
It's also a web based software, so it's accessible on any device, anywhere.
PIXLR
This is another online editor, also a lot like Photoshop in how it looks and feels. Recently revamped there are now two options; Pixlr X and Pixlr E.
Pixlr X is super basic and only has very limited editing options. Great for projects where you are just adding a text overlay, cropping or making photo adjustments. Pixlr E is the advanced option that mimics Photoshop and has a robust selection of design and drawing tools.
While it will open photoshop files, it doesn't seem to be able to handle larger sized files very well and doesn't keep layers organized in folders, so complex files end up very messy.
GIMP
I hesitate to call this a favorite (it's not), but it's been a few years since I last tried it and I'm adding it to the list because it is a popular free software with advanced editing capabilities. It is very similar to how Photoshop works and has all the tools you could need for either drawing or graphic design. This is a downloadable software.
Beginners will likely find it rather overwhelming as it does have a steep learning curve and isn't particularly intuitive. Luckily there are loads of helpful tutorials available as Gimp has been around for quite some time now.
While it will open Photoshop files it doesn't support all features so some files may not function properly.
PAINT.NET
This is for Windows users only . Another Photoshop alternative, this downloadable software is great for photo editing and simple design projects. It's based on the original Windows paint tool but is far more advanced. Because it has Microsoft origins it is easy to navigate and use with a similar layout to other MS software, so it should be more intuitive to use for those familiar with MS.
SUMOPAINT
Another easy to use software, this comes in both online and downloadable options. It has a nice selection of tools for beginners and a friendly navigation.
This is not one that I have personally tested, but it comes highly rated for what it is and is the most likely candidate for me to recommend as a beginners graphic design tool with an easy learning curve.
It is only compatible with image files such as jpg and png and has a more limited selection of tools than some of the more advanced software options but otherwise a perfect option for the occasional project.
INKSCAPE
This downloadable software is a vector graphics editor and a comparable substitute for Illustrator. It opens both Illustrator and Corel Draw vector files with full functionality intact.
Again, a steep learning curve but plenty of tutorials can be found online to get you started.
It's a great option for anyone looking to learn vector drawing or wants to edit an Illustrator file they purchased as part of a design bundle.
While you can use it for graphic design projects I don't really recommend it for beginners unless you're prepared to spend some time upfront learning.
For anyone looking for professional grade software at an affordable non-subscription price, check out Affinity. They offer three awesome software choices that not only rival Adobe, they out-do Adobe.
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